News | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Photo collage of different types of environmental data

July 6, 2021

Updated November 7, 2023

Day In, Day Out, NCEI Takes Data Seriously

Behind the colorful pictures of the ocean, reports about the climate, and graphics about billion-dollar disasters lives a lot of data.

Wooden plank staircase winding through a park full of trees in autumn.

November 2, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for October 31, 2023

According to the October 31, 2023 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 30.7% of the United States including Puerto Rico, a decrease from last week’s 33.4%. The worst drought categories (extreme to exceptional drought) decreased from 7.6% last week to 6.6%.

Photo of NCEI’s Alessandra (Ale) Pacini posing with a NOAA patch.

November 1, 2023

Humans of NCEI: Alessandra (Ale) Pacini

Here at NCEI, we aren’t just data—we are people. In our Humans of NCEI series, meet the awesome minds that manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the world.

Green and red colors from an aurora over a mountainous landscape and large body of water.

October 31, 2017

Updated October 31, 2023

Remembering the Great Halloween Solar Storms

In late October 2003, the sun unleashed a massive solar storm that affected a variety of technological systems around the world.

Underside view of the yellow and orange foliage on a tree.

October 26, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for October 24, 2023

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 33.4% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Silhouette of stereotypical Halloween witch and cat riding a broom against a full moon.

October 31, 2016

Updated October 25, 2023

America’s Spooktacular October Climate

In observance of Halloween, we take a look at typical October climate conditions and Climate Normals for several spookily named places.

Alt text: Red leaves on a branch with frost covering them.

October 23, 2023

When to Expect the First Fall Freeze

Based on 30 years of climate records, our map shows when you might expect to see the first freeze of fall in your area.

U.S. Drought Monitor map for October 17, 2023.

October 19, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for October 17, 2023

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 33.2% of the United States including Puerto Rico.

Icebergs from melting glacier in Icefjord.

October 13, 2023

Assessing the Global Climate in September 2023

The global land and ocean temperature departure from average for September 2023 was the highest on record for the month of September.

Fog hovering over a lake with a backdrop of autumn trees, houses, and the sunrise.

October 12, 2023

U.S. Drought: Weekly Report for October 10, 2023

Moderate to exceptional drought covers 33.6% of the United States including Puerto Rico.